Dear RSU 21 Families,

As we head into the weekend, I want to extend my warm wishes to all of you. I hope you have a chance to relax, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones.

I also want to take a moment to address the current challenges we're facing with our bus routes. As many of you are aware, we are experiencing a shortage of bus drivers, which has led to disruptions in our transportation services. I understand the frustration and inconvenience this may be causing our students and families. Please know that we are actively working to address this situation. Our team is diligently searching for qualified bus drivers to join our district and alleviate the strain on our existing routes. We are also exploring alternative solutions to minimize the impact on our students' daily commutes. I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for your patience and understanding during this challenging time. Your support and cooperation mean a great deal to us as we navigate these obstacles together. Rest assured, we are committed to resolving this issue as quickly as possible, and we will keep you updated on our progress.  

Thank you for being a part of our school community. Have a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to seeing our students back in the classrooms on Monday.

Much love,

Terri I. Cooper, Ed.D.

RSU 21 Superintendent

Dr. Thomas Farrell

7/25/46 - 3/17/24

RSU 21 Superintendent (2003 - 2008)

Dr. Thomas H. Farrell, a beloved teacher, coach, and longtime school administrator, died on Sunday, March 17th surrounded by his family. Dr. Farrell’s professional life was one devoted to youth. He spent over 50 years in education; first as a high school teacher and coach in Maine, and then as an administrator and Superintendent of schools in Maine, Colorado, and Taiwan. Dr. Farrell was RSU 21's Superintendent of Schools from 2003-2008 and successfully implemented the first International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program in the State of Maine. The district is forever grateful for his contributions to our staff and students during his time here. Dr. Thomas Farrell's Obituary

Solar Eclipse, Monday, April 8th

There are only 9 days until the 2024 Solar Eclipse! On Monday, April 8, 2024, at 3:30 PM some parts of Maine will experience a total solar eclipse and the RSU 21 community will experience a near-total eclipse (96%). Teachers in RSU 21 are preparing lessons so that all of our students get information about the eclipse and receive their eclipse viewers. Here are links that connect eclipses to history, folklore, art, and math. Enjoy! History of Eclipses, Eclipses in Folklore, Eclipses in Art History, Math of an Eclipse, Astronomy

Southern Maine Special Olympics

Youth Leadership Summit

The following students were chosen to represent KHS at the Southern Maine Special Olympics Youth Leadership Summit which took place today, March 29th, in South Portland. The team of students and staff shared successes and learned new strategies for bringing inclusion and meaningful relationships to all school and community settings.  

Staff: Beth Hazen, Anne Marie Hill, and Terry Locke

Students: Zoe Little, Chris Dellage, Wyatt Babcock, Cobie Pimpare, Hank Flynn, Megan Ames, Randy Lamb, Simone Houdlette, Molly McKinney, Virginia Howell, Bronwyn Parkhurst, Camryn Houle, Summer Shea, Avery Mills, Eva McDonald, Marina Valliere

A Message From the Finance Committee Chair on Upcoming Budget Process

As we start the next phase of budget development, we need our community members' attention and participation.

The question at hand: how best can we serve the needs of district staff and supply professional learning opportunities that result in success for our students while maintaining and improving our infrastructure and technology?

Starting on February 12, 2024, we will hear three days of cost center budget presentations starting on 2/12 at 7:15 a.m., 2/14 at 7:30 a.m., and an overall budget review on 3/6 from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. We hope you can take advantage of this so that you will have the same information provided to the committee.  

Next, the finance committee will meet to discuss the presentations to prepare a first read of the budget to the full School Board on March 18, 2024. This will be an agenda item for discussion. The first read with any recommendations or requests will go back to the finance committee for preparation for a Public Forum on Monday, April 1, 2024 (6PM). At this time, the full School Board can consider both increases and decreases to the final budget preparation.

Then the budget goes back to the finance committee for discussion in preparation for presentation to the full School Board for a second read at which time there will be a motion to move the budget forward to the first of a two-step process.

The Monday, May 6, 2024, School Board meeting will be given over to the District Budget meeting. This provides the opportunity for the public to request cuts to cost centers, but the budget may not be increased at this point. A vote in favor of the budget as presented or amended will then go to the voters in each town (Arundel, Kennebunk, and Kennebunkport) for the Tuesday, June 11, 2024 ballot. The article will read as follows:

“Do you favor approving the Regional School Unit No. 21 budget for the upcoming school year that was adopted at the latest Regional School Unit Budget meeting?”

We hope that you will be an informed voter who has observed and/or participated in the process and will support this article.

Thank you,

Gayle Asmussen Spofford, on behalf of the Finance Committee of RSU 21

Finance Committee's Budget Review

March 6, 2024

Summer Boost 2024

Updated CDC Guidance on

Preventing Respiratory Viruses

The CDC has revised its respiratory viruses guidance. Guidance for all respiratory viruses is now that individuals are 24 hours fever-free and their symptoms are improving prior to return to school or work. There is no longer a 5-day isolation period for Covid-19. CDC Guidance on Preventing Respiratory Viruses

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Weekly Attendance

*ADA = Average Daily Attendance

District Contact Information

2023-2024 School Calendar

Job Postings